Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Electric Vehicles: Zero Emissions

Thursday 2 March 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Western raised concerns about the implementation timing of the zero emission mandate for electric vehicles, citing industry worries and the short timeline before the 2024 deadline.
  • Edward Leigh questioned the government's support for the car manufacturing industry, highlighting issues like the covid pandemic and supply chain shortages affecting UK car production.
  • Gill Furniss criticized the lack of clarity from the Government regarding the zero-emission vehicle mandate, affecting businesses and consumer confidence in planning for the transition to electric vehicles.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Transport Energy
Context

The industry is concerned about the timing and adequacy of current progress towards implementing a mandate for electric vehicles. There are fears that it will be left with just six months before implementation on 1 January 2024, when at least 24 months would typically be needed.

Question

I am concerned about the recent progress made on the implementation of the zero emission mandate for electric vehicles. The industry is extremely concerned about the timings, and fears that it will be left with just six months before implementation on 1 January 2024. Most industry observers would say that at least 24 months is needed for a successful mandate to be introduced. Does he agree that the industry should be concerned about this, and that we need to act much more quickly? Should the Government not also be looking at delivering an infrastructure mandate?

Answer from Jesse Norman

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his questions. Of course, he will be aware that this is an extremely complex issue, because it involves manufacturers, charge-point providers, energy suppliers and other players in this important and evolving market. There was a Green Paper consultation in 2021. There has been a second consultation on technical issues, as I say, and we work very closely with all those players, and the industry, precisely to ensure that, when this lands with all its complexities, which it will do in the near future, it lands properly, effectively, and to the benefit of all.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the industry should be concerned or if action regarding infrastructure is needed. Instead focused on complexity and ongoing consultations.

How: Of Course He Will Be Aware, We Work Closely

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Q2 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Energy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The constituency of Gainsborough is large and remote, taking half an hour to get anywhere even when travelling at the speed limit. With less than a year before electric vehicles become mandatory for sale in 2030, concerns arise about how rural areas will cope.

Question

My constituency of Gainsborough is 600 square miles, and it takes half an hour to get anywhere even when travelling at the speed limit. What is the Government plan to help rural areas when electric vehicles become mandatory for sale in 2030?

Answer from Jesse Norman

As my right hon. Friend will be aware, the Government's plan is for more than 300,000 charge points to be in place by then. That will be led largely by the private sector, and we meet regularly with all the charge point operators. Their plans are escalating and will be massively supported and benefited by the zero-emission vehicle mandate. With that, and technological advances, we anticipate that there will be ample opportunity for people in rural areas to use electric vehicles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address concerns specific to rural implementation issues or provide concrete plans specifically tailored to rural areas.

How: It Will Land Properly, Effectively

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Q3 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Last year, UK car production dropped to a 66-year low. The industry is facing challenges due to the pandemic, supply chain shortages, and logistical issues at Dover. Manufacturers are demanding clarity from the government regarding the zero-emission vehicle mandate implementation.

Question

UK car production slumped last year to a 66-year low. The covid pandemic, supply chain shortages, and chaos at Dover have left this key industry fighting for survival. Manufacturers are crying out for a shred of certainty, but far from supporting them and the 150,000 workers they employ, this Government are leaving them in a state of limbo. With less than a year to go before it takes effect, why is the Minister still keeping the design of the zero-emission vehicle mandate a well-guarded secret? When can manufacturers expect finally to get some clarity from the Government to allow them to plan for the future?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The hon. Lady wildly overstates the issue with regard to electric vehicles. In 2022, we had the second largest market across Europe for electric vehicles, which demonstrates the level of energy and support we are giving the industry, including £2 billion of public money. We consult closely with both large car manufacturers and small manufacturers, who have quite different interests in many different ways. They will be quite comfortable with this important mandate when it comes out, and they will be because we have consulted extensively on it with them over the past two years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why guidance is still being withheld or provide a specific timeline for clarity. Instead focused on current market position and extensive consultation.

How: Wildly Overstates, We Have Consulted Extensively

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Q4 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Transport Energy
Context

There is concern that businesses, including manufacturers, dealerships, and fleet purchasers, cannot plan effectively due to the lack of clarity on the zero-emission vehicle mandate. Last year saw only 7,000 EV charging installations when 33,000 are required annually.

Question

Although we support a zero-emission vehicle mandate to accelerate the switch to zero-emission driving, the Government need to get a grip on it. Businesses—be they manufacturers, dealerships or fleet purchasers—cannot plan, and consumers are in the dark. That chimes with the overall approach to zero-emission driving, with just over 7,000 EV charging installations last year when 33,000 are required annually to meet the 300,000 target. Will we hear more about the mandate, the charger network expansion and equalising the VAT levied on home charging versus street charging in the upcoming Budget?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that I will not comment on the Budget; as a former Financial Secretary, I will certainly not attempt to trespass on the Treasury's prerogative on tax issues. What he will know, of course, is that the vast majority of that investment is coming from the private sector. Of course, that will itself be massively boosted by the zero-emission vehicle mandate. I met one of the largest charge point operators only this week, and they were perfectly clear that the one thing that will do more than anything else, not just to reduce carbon but to support the development of that industry and that transition, is the mandate, which we will publish, as I say, in the near future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address VAT disparities or provide specifics on charger network expansion. Instead focused on private sector investment and mandate importance.

How: I Will Certainly Not Attempt To Trespass

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Q5 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport Energy
Context

A technical consultation on the design features of the zero-emission vehicle mandate was held between April and June last year, with responses currently being analyzed. Industry is concerned about timing.

Question

What recent progress he has made on the implementation of the zero emission mandate for electric vehicles?

Answer from Jesse Norman

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is great to see you in such robust form this morning, if I may say so. A technical consultation on the zero-emission vehicle mandate design's features was held between April and June of last year. Responses to that consultation are currently being analysed, and the Government will publish their response, alongside a final consultation on the full regulatory proposal, and an accompanying cost-benefit analysis, in the near future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or commitments for implementation. Focused on consultations and analyses.

How: It Is Great To See You

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